EB-4 Special Immigrant Workers

Employment-Based, Fourth Preference (EB-4) Visa

What is the EB-4 visa?
The EB-4 visa is an immigrant visa that is available to “special immigrants,” which includes religious workers, physicians, armed forces members, and others.

What are the requirements for an EB-4 visa?
To secure an EB-4 visa, you must be a special immigrant, which is limited to the following people:

Religious Workers

Broadcasters

Iraqi/Afghan Translators

Iraqis Who Have Assisted the United States

International Organization Employees

Physicians

Armed Forces Members

Panama Canal Zone Employees

Retired NATO-6 employees

Spouses and Children of Deceased NATO-6 employees

What strategic considerations should I keep in mind?

EB-4 visa per country limits have been reached for fiscal year 2016 for special immigrants from India, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Your employer generally must file the EB-4 petition for you. However, in some cases, you, may petition on your own behalf.

Your spouse may also be admitted to the United States. Your children, unmarried under the age of 21, may be admitted to the United States.

The EB-4 employment-based category is for special immigrants. This includes religious workers, broadcasters, Iraqi/Afghan translators, Iraqis who have assisted the United States, international organization employees, physicians, armed forces members, Panama Canal Zone employees, retired NATO-6 employees and spouses and children of deceased NATO-6 employees.

How do I qualify for this visa?
To petition for an employment-based fourth preference immigrant, your employer must file a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. However, there are certain situations where you, the employee, may self-petition on your own behalf. Please review the form instructions to see if you are eligible to self petition and what required supporting evidence needs to be included.